Plans for renovations to Rebel Stadium at West Monroe High School are moving forward with construction expected to begin following the final home game of the 2015 season.

The plans call for the existing visitor side, on the west side of the field, to be torn down and replaced by a new 5,500-seat home stands which will include a new state-of-the-art press box and would greatly expand the seating capacity of the stadium that opened in 1953.

Funding for the project will come from the west side construction fund of the Ouachita Parish School Board. The same sales tax fund was recently used for construction of the turf football field at West Ouachita High School and construction has begun on the new basketball gym at West Ouachita among other projects designated by the school board for schools in western Ouachita Parish.

“We are excited because, the truth is the main part of stadium was built in the 1950s and the maintenance we have had to do for years, after a while it becomes not worth it,” West Monroe principal Shelby Ainsworth said. “We are past due for that type of upgrade. Our current home side press box is not sufficient for visiting coaches and radio broadcast. That is a safety hazard.”

Ainsworth stressed that the first priority of the school is taking care of academic projects such as construction of a new Vocational Tech building that will be be ready to open in 2016. The new building will be built near the current football practice field. The school is using approximately 45 yards of the practice field to construct the new building.

Tim M. Brandon of TBA Studio Architects was designated by the Ouachita Parish School Board to design renderings of the facility.

“To me it is something for the community,” head football coach Jerry Arledge said of the stadium project. “We will be moving our fans to the west side, which is away from the sun at the beginning of the season.”

The current seating capacity of the stadium is 9,100. The seating capacity will be near 12,000 following its completion. Fan experience will be improved as well by other amenities, including new bathrooms and concession stands. New parking is expected to be part of the expansion as well.

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